Balanced sectionalized vibratory conveyer



Feb. 16, 1954 J. A. FLINT BALANCED SECTIONALIZED VIBRATOR Y CONVEYER Filed Sept. 23, 1950 a7 28 ,a4 /35 V 8 Sheets-Sheet l NLO N Feb. 16, 1954 J. A. FLINT BALANCED SECTIONALIZED VIBRATORY CONVEYER Filed Sept. 25, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feli. 16, 1954 J. A. FLINT 2,669,344

BALANCED SECTIONALIZED VIBRATORY CONVEYER Filed Sept. 23, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 fivvE/vTo/Ea' o JAM Es AfLmT,

HTT x Feb. 16, 1954 J, FLINT 2,669,344

BALANCED SECTIONALIZED VIBRATORY CONVEYER Filed Sept. 23, 1950 8 Sheets$heet 4 L/NVENTOEQ JAMES A. Flm

Feb. 16, 1954 J. A. FLINT BALANCED SECTIONALIZED VIBRATORY CONVEYER 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 23, 1950 [N VE/V TOR JAMES A F14 NT, BY

Feb. 16, 1954 J. A. FLINT BALANCED SECTIONALIZED VIBRATORY CONVEYER 8 Sheets-$heet 6 Filed Sept. 23, 1950 fivvEA/To/Q; JAMES A.F1n nT, BY

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Feb. 16, 1954 J. A. FLINT 2,669,344 BALANCED SECTIONALIZED VIBRATORY CONVEYER Filed Sept. 23, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 [N var/Toe; JAMES A. FLINT,

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Feb. 16, 1954 J. A. FLINT BALANCED SECTIONALIZED'VIBRATORY CONVEYER Filed Sept. 25, l

//vvEN7-' Ie JAMES A.FLINT7 Patented Feb. 16, 1954 UNITED STATEt-i EN GFFICE BALANCED SECTIONALIZED VIBBATORY GONVEYER James A. Flint, Bexley,

Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Ohio Ohio, assignor to Ehe This invention relates to a vibratory conveyor, preferably having a relatively low speed of vibration, which is balanced so that the main sup porting frame is substantially devoid of vibratory movement.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned type in which the vibratory unit includes a common base with a plurality of successively arranged conveys-r troughs, decks, or the like, one feeding to the other, and in which counterbalancing means i connected to each trough or deck, the counte "balancing means for each trough or decl: being preferably positioned below the other trough or de Another object of the invention is to provide a conveyer of the above mentioned type in th driving means includes a shaft mounted lolrotation' on a relatively stationary spin and which is provided with two eccentrics preferably one hundred and eighty degrees out of phase which individually are connected to the two tions of said conveyor deck or trough.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, efiicient crank vibrating mechanism to move two conveyor sections simultaneously in opposite directions, and an improved conveyor including such vibrating mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor of the above mentioned type in which reciprocating hydraulic motor means is provided for vibrating the deck sections, said hydraulic motor means including a pair of cylinders mounted so that the vibratory forces tend to balance each other, but resiliently supported from the conveyer base.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinaiter, the novel features and combinations be ing setiorth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a conveyor incorporating the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View showing particularly the drive mechanism and taken on the line 3-2 of fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, the drive belts being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. c is a side view of a modified form of power actuating means for the conveyor;

Fig. 5 is a plan view looking from the bottom upward onto the decks and counterweight-s or counterbalances, the cantilever bar supports being omitted from this view of the drawings the interest of clearness;

Fig. 5 isa sectional elevational view showing th apparatus illustrated in Fig. 5;-

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of another form of conveyer embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan View looking upward and. taken on the line 8-4; of Fig. 7, with parts omitted;

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line ii-t of 7, with the drive pulley and associated drive belt omitted;

1c is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the center of the conveyor of Figs. 7-9, showing particularly the eccentric drive and the connecting straps and rods or pitina-ns which interconnect the deck sections with their relative eccentrics;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view, showing particularly the spring mounting of one end of of th counterweights and its connection to an eccentric connecting. rod or pitman;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged side elevational view of the driving mechanism and adjacent trough ends of still another form of conveyer embodying the features of my invention; a

Fig. 13 is a plan view, looking upward, showing particularly the driving mechanism of the conveyor of Fig. 12 and its connection to the various counterweights and deck sections;

Fig. 14: is a transverse sectional View through the axis of the eccentric drive mechanism of the conveyor of Figs. 12 and 18;

15 a transverse sectional view on a somewhat rcduced scale, showing the removable deck and deck frame of the conveyor of Figs. 544;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged side elevational View, with parts removed, showing another form of driving mechanism for a vibratory conveyor incorporating my invention, in which the drive is e ectuatccl by a pair of balanced piston type reciprocating motors;

Fig. 17 is an elevational view taken on the line ---il of Fig. 16 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 18 is a piping diagram or" the hydraulic system employed in connection with the vibrating mechanism of Figs. 16 and 1'7;

Fig. 19 is a side elevational view of a vibratory mechanical conveyer including a different form of vibrating mechanism comprising one aspect of my invention;

Fig. 29 is an enlarged view showing particularly the deck vibrating mechanism of my invention and including the crank member and associated operating pitman and deck vibrating connccting rods, the decks being shown in section, all taken on the line Ell-26 of 21, looking in the direction of the arrows; and Fig. 21 is a transverse sectional elevational view taken on the line 2 l-2i of Fig. 20, looking in the direction of the One of the difilculties encountered in vibratory equipment, such as vibratory screens, conveyers, and the like, is that in many such devices there is considerable vibration inherently present in the main frame or supporting member which precludes its resting directly on the floor or frame structure of a building and requires that it be supported upon resilient means which creates a problem and makes moving of the unit-difficult.

The vibratory 'conveyer of this invention is designed so that the vibration in the main frame is very materially reduced sit on or be attached to the iioor or to the frame structure of a building without causing undesirable vibration therein and without any ap preciable tendency for the unit to creep. or walk when in operation.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6 of the drawings the unit includes a main frame or base it which may be formed of a pair of longitudinally extending I-beams rigidly attached together by cross angles or the like. Atlongitudinally spaced intervals the main frame is provided with transverse brackets ll adapted to receive the bottoms of a plurality of stacked cantilever bars of which there is a pair of outside bars designated 12 and a pair of inside bars designated 53. The cantilever bars 52 and [3 are of similar laminated construction and need no special description. They are all set at the same angle which is preferably inclined to. the vertical approximately 30 so as to impart a conveyin action to thedecks-ortroughs M and I5 which are supported at the upper the cantilever bars l2 by appropriate brackets is. (see Fig. 5).

As illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, each of the individual troughs or decks Hi and i5 is supported by four cantileve'r'ba'rs l2; thoughthe number may be increased, if desired. The bottoms of the cantilever bars l2 and it are removably but rigidly attached to the brackets H by machine screws or the like. Likewise, the upper ends of the cantilever bars 52 are rigidly but removably attached to the brackets l6 by bolts or the like.

Positioned directly below each trough or deck l4. and there is a counterweight or counterbalancathat below trough. M being designated 1-1 and that below trough 15 being designated 18. The. counterbalances ll and it are essentially of similar constructionand are merely frames built up of longitudinally extending vertical plates with appropriate cross-connecting members,.such as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Each ofthe counterweights I? and I3 is supported at the upper ends of pairs of cantilever barsv 13 which are substantially identical with the bars IZand are located adjacent them and have the same normal inclination.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, adjacent pairs of cantilever bars l2 and I3 have their bottoms rigidly attached by machine screws to the same bracket H, the upper ends of the bars l2 being connected to the deck, such as the deck l4, while the upper ends ofthe bars l3 are connected to the counterweight, such as counterweight H, by brackets 23. It is thus evident that any forces'developed in the bars 12 and 33 are transferred to the'same bracket ll associated with any group of cantilever bars;

As illustrated in'Figs. 1 and-5 of the'drawings, the deckor trough it is'connectedto the counterso that the unit may ends of weight l8 through connecting rods, bars or plates 1 9 and bracket 26. Similarly, the deck or trough i5 is connected to the counterweight I? through connecting rods, bars or plates 2| and bracket As a consequence, it is evident that each counterweight is positioned directly below and adjacent the particular: deck. or trough other than the one to which it is connected. It is also evident from the above description that each counterweight is supported by substantially the same-number. of cantilever bars as the associated and connected deck, since all the cantilever bars, both for the counterweights and the decks, are similar in size, length and all other characterand thesame number is employed to support the decks and associated counterweights. In the illustrated' embodiment each deck 14 and i5 is supported by four cantilever bars l2, and each counterweight El and I8 is supported by four similar cantilever'bars Hi, all of the same length and number of laminations.

The weight of each counterweight ii and I8 is' approximately the same as; but preferably just a little greater than, the deck or trough" f4 or l5 to which it is connected. This is for'th'e reason that the material flowing along the deck adds a certain amount of dead'weight to it and it is desirable that the reaction forces transmitted by the decks id and 15 and the counterweights ii and [8 to the main frame l0 substantially balance as they will where'the effective" weight of the deck (actual Weight plus a. portion'o'f the load) is substantially equal to'the effective weight of the counterweight.

As illustrated in the" drawings, positive eccentric mechanism is provided to give a positive'relative motion to the two decksections' I and: I5 and their co'unterweights l1 and. I8. In. operation the two deck sections it and 15 will vibrate in opposite directions at any giveninstan'tl The conveying action. on the material, however, will be such as to convey said material in thesame direction, which is to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 of the drawings, so that material delivered to the left-hand end of the troughor deck M will be given a conveying. action, causing itto move to the right so that the material is. fedlfrom the'd'eck l4 onto the deck l5.

The vibratory mechanism includes ashaft 24 (see Fig. 2) mounted in appropriate bearings 25 carried by the fabricatedconnectingrod or shaft 21 (see Fig. 5) including a pair of spaced upright plates. Shaft 25 has amultiple v-pulley Zion its free outer end which is adaptedto be driven by a multiple V -belt from a multiple. V-pulley 2-1 carried on the shaftof a driving. electric motor 28 which may be supportedon a platform rigidly attached to the mainframe it as illustrated in 2 of the drawings. Shaft-His providedwith an eccentric 29 having an associated eccentric strap 3i} which is rigidly connectedto counterweight lB; The connecting rodor shaft 2| is in turn rigidly connected to the counterweight H, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 and Got the drawmgs.

It is thus obvious that uponrotation of the shaft 24 a positive vibratory motion will be developed between the counterweight H and the counterweight is through the eccentric 29. and strap Furthermore, since the deck H is rigid ly attached to the counterweight i8 through the connecting rods or bars i9, these two units will have the same motion, particularly since they are mounted on the base I0 through similar cantilever bars l2 and L3. Similarly, since the the speed of rotation of counterweight I1 is rigidly attached to the deck I through the connecting rods or bars 2|, they will partake of the same motion. The decks I4 and I5 are preferably substantially of the same weight as are the counterweights I! and I3 and this is desirable in the interest of a balanced system.

It is obvious that the throw of the eccentric 29 is determined by its eccentricity. For example, the total relative movement between the two counterweights for each reciprocation may be of the order of one-half inch. In this case, with the two vibratory systems balanced, the two systems being in the one case the deck I4 and its counterweight I8 and in the other case the deck I5 and its counterweight I I, this throw will be substantially evenly divided between them, so that the two decks I4 and I5 will have substantially the same amplitude of vibration, and thus the same capacity since they are of the same depth and width, which in the illustration given will be of the order of one-quarter inch.

From the above description it is evident that there is a complete balance throughout. Furthermore, it is evident that the counterbalancing mechanism is confined between the decks I4 and I5 and the main frame I 9 and within the lateral confines of said decks I4 and I5 and their supporting cantilevers I2. This makes for a practical, compact, balanced unit.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings a modified form of vibratory driving mechanism is illustrated. As here illustrated, in place of the eccentric type drive I employ a hydraulic drive. Here the electric motor 28 causes a piston 3| to reciprocate in a cylinder 32 through a crank mechanism 33 whenever the motor 28 is energized. Opposite sides of the cylinder 3?. are connected by individual pipes 34 and 35 to opposite ends of a cylinder 39 which is rigidly attached to the deck I5. One end of a double ended piston rod 31'is pivotally attached to the deck I4. Other connections, particularly between the decks I4 and I5 and their counterweights I8 and I1, respectively, scribed.

A bleeder pipe and control valve 38 is provided so that the amplitude of vibration of the unit may be controlled by controlling the amount of bleed between pipes 34 and 35.

In the operation of the device of Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 or of Fig. 4, material to be conveyed, such as granular material, will be fed preferably to the left-hand end of the deck or trough I4. The vibratory system will be mechanically tuned to a frequency preferably slightly below the operating frequency which will be determined by the motor 28 and other well known factors. Due to the inclination of the cantilevers I2 the vibratory action on the granular material will cause it to travel to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1 of the drawings, dis.- charging the material from the trough I4 onto the trough I5. The conveying action on the ma terial in trough i5 is essentially the same as in trough M, with the result that the granular material is ultimately discharged over the righthand end or discharge end of said trough I5.

The forces developed in the cantilevers I2 are substantially neutralized by the forces developed in the cantilevers i3 insofar as the main frame I ii is concerned so that it is substantially free of severe vibration. In view of this fact the unit may be readily placed upon the floor or any of the frame portions of a building and need not be are essentially the same as above de- 4 anchored against walking or creeping and will not produce objectionable noise or vibration. It is thus readily movable from one place to another, if desired.

In Figs. 7 to 11 of the drawings there is illustrated a modified form of driving means for the conveyor, which driving means overcomes a characteristic of the conveyor of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 which is sometimes considered objectionable;

' that is, in the conveyor of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it will be noted, by reference particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawings, that the shaft 24 is rotatably mounted in bearings 25 carried by the bars or plates 2| which vibrate with the counterweight I! and the deck I 5. As a consequence, the pulley 26 continuously reciprocates during operation of the machine, with a resulting whipping of the drive belt thereof. In the construction of the driving mechanism of the conveyor of Figs. 7, 8 and 9 this whipping action has been eliminated, and the drive pulley rotates on a relatively stationary spin axis.

Referring to the particular apparatus provided to accomplish the result above mentioned, it will be seen that the drive mechanism includes a transverse horizontally extending shaft 39 having a spin axis 40 which is along the geometrical axis of said shaft 39. The shaft 39 is supported by spaced bearings 4| and 42 at opposite ends of a U-shaped yoke 43 which constitutes the upper end cf a pivoted arm 44, the lower end of which is provided with a transverse horizontally extending cross shaft 45 pivotally mounted in rubber bushings, or the like, 46 carried by bearing boxes 4'! mounted on the spaced rails of the main frame or base Ill. It is thus evident that the shaft 39 is mounted for limited pivotal or swinging movement about the transverse horizontal axis of the shaft 45, but is held in a relatively fixed position against vertical or up and down movement. One end of the shaft 39 projects adequately to receive a drive pulley 48 (see Figs. 7 and 8) adapted to be driven from the motor 28 by a plurality of V-belts, or the like.

At the generally central portion of the shaft 39 there is a central eccentric 49, the eccentricity of which with respect to the spin axis is illustrated by the eccentricity line 59. To opposite sides of the central eccentric 49 ther are eccentrics 5| and 52 Which have. the same eccentricity as suggested by the line 53. Eccentrics 5i and 52 constitute a pair of eccentrics which are preferably 180 out of phase with the central eccentric 49 and the eccentricity of said pair with respect to the spin axis of the shaft 39 is equal and opposite to that of the central eccentric 49.

The eccentric 52 is built up of several parts, as illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, to permit the ready removal of the inner race of the antifriction bearing of the pitman or connecting rod associated with the central eccentric 49. If desired, the shaft 39 may also carry a pair of spaced counterweights 5 5 so as to balance the rotating system including the shaft 39 and. its eccentrics and thus prevent unnecessary and useless vibration during the operation thereof.

Connected to be driven by the central eccentrio 49 is an eccentric connecting rod or pitman 55 (see Fig. 10) having a strap 56 associatedwith the eccentric 49 and having a head 5! pivotally attached to a pin 58 by means of a rubber bushing, or the like. said pin 58 being carried. by a bracket 59 (see Fig. 11) rigidly attached to the counterweight I'I. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings, the counterweight I1 is connected being attached to a connecting bracket is which is rigidly attached to the counterweight is. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings, counterweight I8 is rigidly attached to the deck or -:deck section is through the bracket 22 by means of connecting plates or rods 69 and blocks'lil.

'From the above description it is evident that the pivoted arm as will support the shaft 3f or,

in other words, support the static weight thereof andthe mechanism carried thereby while pro viding' for iiinited oscillatory motion thereof about the horizontal transverse axis of the shafted. During operation of the machine, when-the shaft r3.9,-is rotated it will rotate about its spin axis so which-will be substantially stationary. The equal throw of oppositelyextending eccentrics 49 and 5| .52 incooperation with their associated straps and connecting rods will impart equal and opposite reciprocating forces to the two decks or deck sections i l and i5 and their connected counter-weights l8 and 1?, respectively.

,The operation of the conveyer is essentially that described in connection with the conveyer of Figs. 1, 2, etc, the principal and significant difference being that there is no appreciable vibraticnof the pulley 48 and consequently noun-desirable whipping of the associated driving 1-!- lbelts.

. '17here isanother characteristic provided in the .conveyerof Figs. '7 to 1 1,.inclusive, which illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings and which is provided to prevent any significant loss of material over the receiving end of the trough is which is the right-hand end, as viewed in Fig. 10 -.-of the drawings.

- v.On the upper surface of the bottom plate of the trough i5 and adjacent the receiving or right.- handend thereof and extending transversely of the widthof said bottom plate there isa clamor barrier T2, which has a flat sloping upper surface which lies in a plane substantially alongthe .pla'neof vibration of said decks M and i5 which les to the axis of the cantilevers l2. contact withsaid plane sloping upis at right In friction per. surface the dain'l2 there is a-cooperating dam I! having a similar sloping surface, the dam .11 being carried on .the lower surface of the bot- .tom pan of the trough or deck l4 adjacent the discharge end thereof. Thus during relative vi- .brationof the two trough or deck sections l4 and 15., the two dams 1! and 32 will slide with their lfiat surfaces in contact with each other, thus effecting a seal between the two troughs l4 and '15, One or both of the dams H and '52 may be made of brass or the like.

"Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15 illustrate another form of balanced sectionalized vibratory .conveyer incorporating the above described features of my invention as well as a feature not heretofore described. In this embodiment of the invention "there isa main frame or base illl formed of spaced-apart longitudinally extending angular :members, or thelike, which support a pair of decks or deck sections us and M5 for vibratory {motionthrough inclined cantilever spring means x of longitudinally extending 4 l2. It will be understood that thoracic a pin,- rality of said spring means H2 longitudinally spaced along the base H9 and supporting opposite ends of each of the decks l is, .1 E5 in a manner similar to the supporting of the decks Hi and 4.5 from the base iii, as previously described.

Below the deck H4 is a counterweight H] which is rigidly connected with the deck H5, as hereinafter described, and below the deck 1 i5 is a counterweight H3 which is rigidly connected with the deck lit, as also hereinafter described. Counterweights ill and H8 are supported on cantilever springs lit similar to the manner in which the counterweights l! and 18 are supported from the base iii by cantilever springs is. In other words, the general anrangernentof the base or main frame, the two decks and their individually connected counterweights, and the manner in which the decks and counterweights are supported from the'base frame, is fund nentally the same in all of the ccnveyers heretofore and hereafter described.

The decks i is and Elli are of generally similar construction and differ from their counterparts the heretofore described conveyors in the following particulars. Deck it ll will be specifically described, it being understood that the general construction thereof is followed in deck 5 l5. Said deck icincludes a deck frarne comprising a pair lat ll s ac d angles is (see Fig. 13) which at their inner ends are provided with spaced flanges to form terminal boxes At spaced longitudinal positions the angle members it are also provided with head plates l5 (see Fig 15) which cooperate withthe upright web of the angle member 13 to carry in.- clined cross plates iii (seeifigs. 12 and 1 5) to which the upper ends of the spring bars H2 are bolted. it thus evident that the deck frame formed by the angle members 13 is directly supported from the cantilever spring'bars H2, there being at least four such spring bars supporting each said deck frame.

Eigidly attached to but removable from the deck frame formedby the angles 13 is a trough ll having a removable bottom liner :8 which is attached to the trough T5, the two being removably attached to the angle deck frame members it by a plurality of spaced bolts and nuts '99. Itis thus evident that in this construction the deck trough T may be readily changedsince it is easily removable from the deck frame formed by angle a members 73 and without removing the set-up of the bars H2. it is likewise evident that'the bottom of the trough or pan '8'! as it becomes worn may be readily renewed.

The conveyor of Figs. 12 to 15 is provided with a vibrator mechanism. 5b which is essentially the same as that described for the conveyer of The shaft 3! is supported by a pair of pivot arms,

84 through anti-friction bearings at the upper ends of said arms, the lower ends of said arms being pivotaliy attached to a cross pivot shaft 86 which in turn is supported by spaced brackets 81 carried by the frame channels I it.

The shaft is provided with a central eccentric 38, on each side of which there is an oppositely extending eccentric" 8S, thetwo eccentrics b ing 3 ut f p a e h cce t cfifl an being eccentric by the same amount as said eccentric 89 with reference to the spin and geometric axis of the shaft BI. An eccentric strap 99 associated with eccentric 88 is connected to drive the counterweight III through a connecting rod 95 which is pivotally connected to a bracket 92 which in turn is rigidly connected to the counterweight I I1. counterweight II? in turn is rigidly connected to the deck I It by a pair of laterally spaced horizontal longitudinally extending adjusting tie bolts 93. counterweight II 9 is similarly connected to deck II4 by a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending horizontal adjusting tie bolts 94. Associated with the opposite eccentrics 89 are eccentric straps 95 which are connected to cross head 96 (see Fig. 13) which in turn is connected to a. connecting rod 91 pivotally attached to the counterweight I I8 by a bracket 99.

In Figs. 16 and 17 of the drawings there is illustrated another form of vibratory means for the two decks I4 and I 5 which employs hydraulic motor means which differ somewhat from that of Fig. 4 above described. In this vibratory conveyer there is a pair of reciprocating hydraulic cylinder type motors or jacks 99 and I90 which include a pair of cylinders HM and I02 having their bases rigidly attached together by bolts I03 which also attach said cylinders to a cantilever spring I04 which at its lower end is attached to the base I by a bracket I05. The spring I04 preferably lies in a plane parallel with the plane of the spring bars I2.

Each of the cylinders IOI, IE2 is provided with a piston to which a piston rod is connected, the piston rod of motor 99 being seen at I95 and that of motor I00 being seen at 10?. Piston rod I 06 is provided with a head which is pivotally attached to a bracket I08 which in turn is rigidly attached to the counterweight I8. counterweight I8 is rigidly connected to the deck M by the connecting plates I9, as previously described. Piston I01 has a head which is pivotally attached to a bracket I09 which in turn is rigidly attached to a U-shaped yoke I II which is rigidly attached to bracket 22 which in turn is rigidly attached to the deck I5. Deck I is rigidly connected to counterweight II, as previously described.

The drive for the two cylinder motors 99 and I00 is essentially the same as for the cylinder 36 of Fig. 4 of the drawings. It will be noticed that the longitudinal axis of the two hydraulic cylinders or motors 99 and I00 is along the axis of vibration of the two decks I4 and I 9 which is perpendicular to the planes of the cantilever bars I2. Furthermore, the instantaneous forces developed by the motors 99 and I90 are opposed to each other, as a consequence of which there will be little tendency for the cylinders IOI and I02 to vibrate. Any unbalance in these forces will not be transmitted to the base Ill in any appreciable amount because of the supporting leaf spring I04. In view of the opposition of the forces developed by the motors 99 and I90 in operation it is, of course, obvious that the two decks H4 and H5 will vibrate oppositely or 180 out of phase.

The fundamental mode of operation of the conveyer is that above described, particularly in connection with the conveyer of Figs. 1, 2, etc, and needs no repetition. In Figs. 19, 20 and 21 of the drawings there is illustrated a different form of mechanism for vibrating the deck sections I4 and I5.

The vibratory mechanism which is employed is a very simple, eflicient and smooth-running mechanism which converts rotary motion into simultaneous reverse cyclic vibratory motion in the two decks Id and i5. Said vibratory mechanism includes a base its which extends trans versely of and is rigidly attached to the l-beams of the main frame I0. From the H9 there is a pair of laterally spaced upstanding plates I20 which, together, constitute a bracket or supporting mechanism for a transversely extending horizontal shaft 52I mounted on appropriately spaced bearings carried by the plates I20 and provided at one end with a pulley I22 adapted to be driven by a motor I23 through V-be1ts I24.

The shaft I2I drives an eccentric or crank operated pitman I29 which produces a reciproeating motion in response to rotation of the shaft IZI. Pitman I25 is pivotally attached at its opposite end to a pivoted crank member I29 which may be formed by a pair of rigidly con.- nected spaced plates (see Figs. 20 and 21), said crank member I26 being pivotally mounted on the plates I20 for oscillatory motion on a transverse horizontal axis, as provided by a pivot pin or bolt I21. The pivotal connection between the opposite end of the pitman I25 and the crank member I28 is provided by a horizontal transversely extending pivot pin or bolt I29 which is adjustable to and from the pivot pin I21 by virtue of an elongated slot I29 which re-- ceives the pin I28. Pin I28 is preferably provided with clamp nuts or the equivalent so that it may be clamped in any position in the slot I29. This provides a ready adjustment of the angle through which, the crank member I26 will swing during each complete oscillation thereof by the pitman I25, which shall in turn adjust the throw or stroke of the decks I4 and I5, which preferably have the same stroke.

Interconnecting the counterweights IT and I8 directly, and indirectly the decks I5 and I4 and the crank member I26, is a pair of connecting rods I30 and I3I. The outer end of connecting rod I39 is pivotally directly connected to counterweight I8 and indirectly to deck I l. The outer end of connecting rod I3I is pivotally directly connected to counterweight Ii and indirectly to deck I5. The inner end of connecting rod I30 is pivotally connected to crank member I20 at one side or below the axis of pivot pin I27 by pivot pin or bolt I322. The inner end of connecting rod I3I is pivotally connected to crank member I 26 at the other side or above the axis of pivot pin I21 by pivot pin or bolt I39. It is to be noted that the pivot pins I32 and I33 are preferably equidistant and on opposite sides of the pivot pin I21. Furthermore, they are preferably in a common plane through the axes of all of said pins I27, I32 and H33. Still further, the normal operating positions of the connecting rods I39 and I 3|, that is the longitudinal axes thereof, are substantially at right angles to the above mentioned plane. This produces the following results. First of all the right angle relation mentioned means that as the crank. member I26 reciprocates the longitudinal travel of the connecting rods I30 and I3I will be a maximum as compared with what it would be if they made acute angles with the mentioned plane. In the second place the equidistant relation of the pins I 32 and I33 from the pin I27 means that the generally rectilinear movement of the connecting rods I30 and I3 I, and thus the vibratory motion of the two decks I4 and IE, will be equal.

If it were desired to make the amplitude of vibration of either deck id or it greater than the other, the distance between the pivot pin connection between its operating connecting rod and the crank member I25, need only be in creased. For example, if the distance between pin I33 and pin 12? is made greater than the distance between pin I32 and pin if? counterweight I1 and interconnecting deck It will have a greater amplitude of vibration than counterweight [8 and deck It.

The mechanism providing for the equidistant relations is preferred in which the amplitude of vibration of decks hi and it: will be the same. By adjusting pivot pin 28 in the slot 529, or, in other words, by adjusting the distance between the pivot pin l2! and the pivot pin N8, the ampli tude of vibration of the two decks id and it (each of the same value) may be adjusted without in any way disturbing the mechanism which insures equal vibration of said two decks i4 and i5.

During the operation of the mechanism the reciprocation of the crank member 525 will produce instantaneous movement of the two decks Hi and IS in opposite directions and in equal amounts and each complete cycle of operation of each deck [4 and i5 is exactly opposite to, or, in other words, 180 out of phase with, the other.

This application is a continuation in part of my applications Serial Nos. 103,651, filed July 8, i949, and 135,684, filed December 29, 1949, both of which are entitled Balanced Sectionalized Jibra tory Convcyer, and both of which are now aban don d- Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing fromrthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and applicant therefore wishes not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus described and'shown an embodiment of the invention, what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

I. A balanced vibratory conveyer including a main frame, a pair of separate decks mounted to feed one to the other, similar inclined cantilever spring means mounting each of said decks from the same main frame, a counterweight for each deck, means connecting a counterweight to each deck, inclined cantilever spring means mounting each counterweight from said main frame and positioning each counterweight below the particular deck other than the one to which it is connected, said counterweight spring means being substantially duplicates of said deck spring means, each counterweight having approximately the same weight as the deck to which it is connected, and power operated means for simultaneously reversely actuating said two separate decks and connected counterweights.

2. A balanced vibratory conveyer including a main frame, a pair of separate decks mounted to feed one to the other, similar inclined spring means mounting each of said decks from the same main frame, a counterweight for each deck, means connecting a counterweight to each deck, inclined spring means mounting each counterweight from said main frame and positioning each counterweight below the particular deck other than the one to which it is connected, said counterweight spring means being substantially duplicates of said deck spring means, and power operated means for simultaneously reversely ac- 7 main frame, a pair of separate 12 V tuating said two separate decks and connnected counterweights. l

3. A balanced vibratory conveyer including a main frame, a pair of separate decks mounted to feed one to'the other, similar inclined cantilever spring means mounting each of said decks from the same main frame, a counterweight for each deck, means connectinga counterweight to each deck, inclined cantilever spring means mounting each counterweight from said main frame and positioning each counterweight below the particular deck other than the one to which it is connected, said counterweight springmeans being substantially duplicates of said deck spring means, and power operated means for simultaneously reversely actuating said two separate decks and connected counterweights.

4. In a vibratory feeder, a pair of successive similar decks one feeding the other, a base com,- mon to the decks, cantilever bars connecting said decks and base, counter-weights, one connected to each deck and laterally substantially entirely between said cantilever bars and extending below the other deck, and cantilever bars for said counterweights also laterally between said first named cantilever bars. v y a 5. A balanced vibratory conveyer including a main frame, a pair of separate decks mounted to feed one to the other, similar inclined cantilever spring means rnounting each of said decks from the same main frame, a counterweight for each deck, means connecting a counterweight to each deck, inclined cantilever spring means mounting each counterweight from said main frame and positioning each counterweight below the particular deck other than the one to which it is connected, said counterweight spring means being substantially duplicates of said deck spring means, each counterweight having approximately the same weight as the deck to which it is COD! nected, power operated means for simultaneously reversely actuating said two separate decks and connected counterweights, said power operated means including a shaft, means mounting said shaft for rotation on'a spin axis, said means including an upstanding arm pivoted to said base, a.

pair of eccentrics on said shaft degrees out of phase and. of similar eccentricity relative to said spin axis, means connecting one of said eccentrics to one of said'deck's and its connected counterweight, and means connecting the other of said eccentrics to the other of said decks and its connected counterweight.

6. A- balanced vibratory conveyer including a decks mounted to feed one to the other, similar inclined spring means mounting each of said decks from the same main frame, a counterweight for each deck, means connecting a counterweight to each deck, inclined spring means mounting each countcrweight'from said main frame and positioning each counterweight'below the particular deck other than the one to which it is connected, said counterweight spring means being substantially duplicates of said deck spring means, power operated means for simultaneously reversely a-ctuatin'gsaid two separate decks and connected counterweights, said power operated means including a shaft, meanslmounting said shaft for rotation ona spin axis, a pair of eccentrics on said shaft 180 degrees out of phase and of similar eccentricity relative to said'spin axis, means connecting one of said eccentrics to one of said decks and'its con!- nected counterweight, and means connecting the -each counterweight from said 13 other of said eccentrics to the'other of said'decks and its connected counterweight.

7 A balanced vibratory conveyer including a main frame, a pair of separate decks mounted to feed one to the other, similar inclined cantilever spring means mounting each of said decks from the same main frame, a counterweight for each deck, means connecting a counterweight to each deck, inclined cantilever spring means mounting main frame and positioning each counterweight below the particular deck other than the one to which it is connected, said counterweight spring means being substantially duplicates of said deck spring means, power operated means for simultaneously reversely actuating said two separate decks and connected counterweights, said power operated means including a shaft, means mounting said shaft for rotation on a spin axis, a pair of cocentrics on said shaft 160 degrees out of phase and of similar eccentricity relative to said spin axis, means connecting one of said eccentrics to one of said decks and its connected counterweight, and means connecting the other of said eccentrics to the other of said decks and its connected counterweight.

8. A vibratory conveys-r including a base frame, a pair of decks, means mounting said decks in tandem relation on said base frame for vibration, one deck feeding the other, a pair of counterweights also mounted on said base frame for vibration, one of said counterweights being connected to one of said decks and extending below the other deck, the other being connected to the first of said decks and extending therebelow, said deck and counterweight mounting means including similar spring means interconnecting said decks and counterweights, respectively, to said base frame, and means for vibrating said decks and counterweights with each deck vibrating in the opposite direction from the other at any given instant.

9. A balanced vibratory conveyer including a main frame, a pair of separate decks mounted to feed one to the other, similar inclined spring means mounting each of said decks from the same main frame, a counterweight for each deck, means connecting a counterweight to each deck, inclined spring means mounting each counterweight from said main frame and positioning each counterweight below the particular deck other than the one to which it is connected, said counterweight spring means being substantially duplicates of said deck spring means, power operated means for simultaneously reversely actuating said two separate decks and connected counterweights, said decks including a deck frame rigidly attached to the tops of said deck supporting spring means, and a trough removably attached to said deck frame.

10. A balanced vibratory conveyer including a main frame, a pair of separate decks mounted to feed one to the other, similar inclined cantilever spring means mounting each of said decks from the same main frame, a counterweight for each deck, means connecting a counterweight to each deck, inclined cantilever spring means mounting each counterweight from said main frame and positioning each counterweight below the particular deck other than the one to which it is connected, said counterweight spring means being substantially duplicates of said deck spring means, each counterweight having approximately the same weight as the deck to which it is connected, power operated means for simultaneously reversely actuating said two separate decks and connected counterweights, said power operated means including a reciprocating double acting hydraulic pump and a pair of cylinders reversely connected thereto, means connecting one of said cylinders to one of said decks and connecting the other of said cylinders to the other of said decks, and means mounting said cylinders from said main frame independently of either of said decks.

11. A balanced vibratory conveyer including a main frame, a pair of separate decks mounted to feed one to the other, similar inclined cantilever spring means mounting each of said decks from the same main frame, a counterweight for each deck, means connecting a counterweight to each deck, inclined cantilever spring means mounting each counterweight from said main frame and positioning each counterweight below the particular deck other than the one to which it is connected, said counterweight spring means being substantially duplicates of said deck spring means, each counterweight having approximately the same weight as the deck to which it is connected, power operated means for simultaneously reversely actuating said two separate decks and connected counterweights, said power operated means including a reciprocating double acting hydraulic pump and a pair of cylinders reversely connected thereto, means connecting one of said cylinders to one of said decks and connecting the other of said cylinders to the other of said decks, and means mounting said cylinders independently of either of said decks.

12. A balanced vibratory conveyer including a main frame, a pair of separate decks mounted to feed one to the other, similar inclined cantilever spring means mounting each of said decks from the same main frame, a counterweight for each deck, means connecting a counterweight to each deck, inclined cantilever spring means mounting each counterweight from said main frame and positioning each counterweight below the particular deck other than the one to which it is connected, said counterweight spring means being substantially duplicates of said deck spring means, each counterweight having approximately the same weight as the deck to which it is connected, and power operated means for simultaneously reversely actuating said two separate decks and connected counterweights, said power operated means including a hydraulic pump and hydraulic cylinder means connected to both said decks to operate them simultaneously reversely, said hydraulic cylinder means being carried directly by said two decks.

13. A balanced vibratory conveyor including a main frame, a pair of separate decks mounted to feed one to the other, similar inclined cantilever spring means mounting each of said decks from the same main frame, a counterweight for each deck, means connecting a counterweight to each deck, inclined cantilever spring means mounting each counterweight from said main frame and positioning each counterweight below the particular deck other than the one to which it is connected, said counterweight spring means being substantially duplicates of said deck spring means, each counterweight having approximately the same weight as the deck to which it is connected, and power operated means for simultaneously reversely actuating said two separate decks and connected counterweights, said power operated means including a hydraulic pump and 

